Natick Closes Public Hearing On Cochituate Lot Redo

Conservation Commission · Meeting of September 17, 2026

Natick weighs safety fixes for a beloved but troubled bike path. The Conservation Commission heard from Parker Court residents Sal Alessi and Patricia O'Brien about reckless e-bike riding, drinking and a car that deliberately drove over the trail into the woods, prompting a temporary Jersey barrier DPW installed at the street's dead end. "I think there's more than just the drinking there," Alessi said.

Commission member David Beattie countered that the informal bike-jump area is "actually a huge asset," built by kids who "take care of each other," urging management over closure. Separately, the panel voted unanimously to close hearings on a DCR-led Cochituate State Park parking lot rebuild and an addition at 17 Edgewood Avenue, continued a 5 Glenwood Street home-rebuild to October 8 pending septic plans, and awarded a $4,700 contract to LEC Environmental to assess tree removal near the Winter Oaks vernal pool. A commissioner also reported digging in against MassDOT over stormwater flows near contaminated groundwater on Route 27.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,228 words

Source: the Conservation Commission meeting of September 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.